Crutcher, C. (2001). Whale Talk. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

T.J. is a kid that is biracial and adopted by white parents who love and care for him.  He is tired of seeing bullies in his school picking on kids that can’t defend themselves.  One bully keeps torturing a slower kid that wears his dead older brother’s letterman jacket.  T.J. decided to take his teacher up on an offer to create a swim team.  All the people T.J. recruits would never have opportunity to take part in organized sports.  The bullies and Rich, the older guy that acts like a demented mentor to the football team finally understand T.J. motives and they will do anything to stop him.  T.J.  learned about kindness, courage and sticking up for the little guy from his parents  especially his dad.  They support him and his motives, the family even takes in  Rich’s family after repeated abuse to the biracial daughter.  They have become their protectors and will not let Rich hurt them anymore.  The swim team does amazing beating each of their previous times, the criteria to earn a letterman jacket which has become a symbol of the have and have nots.  The team becomes closer and stronger and T.J. a natural athlete qualifies for state.  The team earns their jackets except for T.J. who lost on a matter of principle.  There is one more game the yearly 3 on 3 basketball game, T.J., his dad and partners from the swim team decide to take on Rich and the bullies. They win but Rich is blind with rage because his wife has decided to stop the abuse.  The worse happens, how can T.J. go on when his world is falling apart?

Crutcher writes a heartfelt story that is layered and honest. Themes include dealing with abuse, loss, bullying and racism.  Whale Talk has been challenged main times with the main complaint being about the language. Other books of his has been challenged as well and he has a link devoted to banned books and how to stand up to the challenge.  The different covers of Whale Talk reflects the kid being bullied but I would have preferred it to reflect what the reader imagines T.J. to look like. Crutcher has been writing for 30 years with topics similar Whale Tale of race, the difficult life of teenagers and the struggles they face.  He was been awarded three lifetime achievement awards for his body of work. 

Classroom ideas include having students create in someone else’s shoes projects.  Students reflect what it would be like to be in one of the character’s shoes and create a backstory.  Also, talking and researching why the different books of Crutcher’s has been challenged or banned. Discussions with students regarding the ignorance of racism and why it is still prevalent today and solutions.